SFGN 11/17/22 V13iss46

PROVIDING OF EXPERIENCE

in the treatment and prevention of HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis.

DR. JESSICA ALTAMIRANO

DR. AMY WECKER

FORT LAUDERDALE

1726 SE 3rd Ave.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (754) 701-6920

MIAMI GARDENS

13936 NW 7th Avenue Miami, FL 33168 (786) 800-5631

PLANTATION

4101 Nw 3rd Court, Suite 9 Plantation, Fl 33317 (754) 701-6911

(844) 922-2777

CANCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG

WALK-INS WELCOME AT ALL LOCATIONS

SOUTH BEACH

427 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 514-0813

LAKE WORTH

201 N. Dixie Hwy Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 867-9991

DR. SHEETAL SHARMA

DR. MICHAEL SENSION

LGBT CANDIDATES RECEIVE SMALL VICTORY IN ELECTION

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a popular Democrat in a deeply blue state, coasted to victory Nov. 8 as predicted, becoming the first lesbian to be elected governor of any state.

Another lesbian candidate for governor, Tina Kotek in Oregon, appeared to be in a position to be the second to do so, running one point ahead of her two opponents as of Wednesday morning. But in a surprise upset, five-term U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney appeared to be losing his seat in Congress, and a pro-Trump gay Republican appears to have defeated a gay Democrat for a U.S. House seat from New York.

Healey’s win in Massachusetts made her the first woman to win an election as governor in that state and the first lesbian to win an election as governor anywhere in the nation. (Bisexual Kate Brown was the first LGBT person to be elected governor when she won a special election bid in 2016; Jared Polis became the first gay man when he was elected governor of Colorado in 2018.)

Healey, who helped lead the legal battle for marriage equality and championed many challenges against Trump administration policies, triumphed over a Trump-backed Republican. That Republican, Geoff Diehl, had Trump’s endorsement but not that of the state’s popular incumbent governor, Republican Charlie Baker. Healey positioned herself to acknowledge Baker’s strengths.

In her acceptance speech, Healey delivered a message to “every little girl and young LGBTQ person out there.”

The Associated Press called the race for Healey just five minutes after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday night. Early numbers indicated Healey won 63%, to Trump-backed Jeff Diehl’s

36%.

In Oregon, where voters have for decades rejected Republican candidates for governor, Democrat Tina Kotek, former speaker of the state house, had to contend with a third party candidate who appeared to be drawing nine points from voters who are believed would otherwise vote Democratic. As of Wednesday morning, with 67% of the vote counted, Kotek held a one-point lead over her Republican opponent. Kotek told supporters that she is “optimistic” but it was “still too early” to declare victory.

And in Colorado, gay Governor Jared Polis breezed to re-election, garnering about 62% of the vote at the deadline.

LGBT candidates sought to double the number of LGBT members of the U.S. House this year. Going into the election, that count was eight. At the deadline, it appeared the number in the new Congress, which begins Jan. 3, could be 11.

U.S. House incumbents: Eight of nine incumbent LGBT candidates in the U.S. House were running for re-election, and four had relatively easy runs for re-election: Mark Pocan (Wisconsin 2nd), Mark Takano

(California 41st), David Cicilline (Rhode Island 1st), and first-termer Richie Torres (New York 15th). (One current gay member of the House, Mondaire Jones, was redistricted into another district this year and lost the primary.)

Sean Patrick Maloney (New York-17th CD): That one, at deadline with 95% of the vote reported, is Democrat leader Maloney who may be losing his hotly contested race for a sixth term in the U.S. House. Because of redistricting, Maloney had to choose whether to run in District 18, his original district, or District 17, where his home is located under the new map. The complication: District 17 was the district represented by Jones. Much to Jones’ chagrin, Maloney chose District 17 and soon found himself in a toss-up race against State Assemblyman Mike Lawler. Maloney closed a 10-point deficit Tuesday night to a 1.2 deficit as of Wednesday morning.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund said a record number of LGBT candidates ran for office during these mid-term general elections: 678.

WHITTAKER DIES

Lisa Keen KeenNewsService

Associated Press

SFGN COVER: Mario DePedro. Photo by Steven T. Shires.

Photo via Adobe Stock.

South Florida Gay

WAS TRANS YOUTUBER NIKITA DRAGUN PLACED IN MEN’S JAIL?

Christiana Lilly

Conflicting accounts are swirling after a trans YouTuber was arrested in Miami Beach and allegedly placed in a men’s jail. Nikita Dragun’s camp says her rights were violated, while the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department said she “never made it beyond the booking process.”

“The situation with Nikita, who is legally female, being placed in a men’s unit of a Florida jail is extremely disturbing and dangerous,” her publicist, Jack Ketsoyan, said in a statement to E News. “This decision made by the MiamiDade County Corrections Department directly violates their protocol, which mandates that transgender inmates are classified and housed based on safety needs and gender identity. Nikita has been released and is now safe.” Dragun, a makeup influencer and YouTuber with millions of followers across multiple platforms, was arrested Nov. 7 from the Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer,

disorderly conduct, and violation of city ordinance with a $2,000 bond.

She was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami.

Donning a red jumpsuit during her hearing, Dragun was asked by Judge Mindy S. Glazer how she would like to be addressed, to which she replied “she and her.”

Then, Dragun asked Glazer: “You honor, may I ask one question? Do I have to stay here in the men’s unit still?” to which Glazer replied, “Yeah, I don’t make the rules up there but they should have proper accommodations for you.”

However, the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department said in a statement that this was untrue.

Profiles In Care

“When you are sick, down & out and need a medical staff with practitioners that are professionally driven, hygienically proficient, using the most modern facilities and technologies possible; you want Holy Cross by your side.”

- Norm Kent, Criminal Defense Attorney/Publisher at South Florida Gay News, Daily Radio Talk Show Host

Screenshot from the hearing.

SMART RIDE READY TO ROLL THIS WEEKEND

The tires are pumped and so are the riders. SMART Ride is ready to hold its annual bike ride from Miami to Key West. This is the largest event in the U.S. where 100% of funds raised are distributed back to the HIV/AIDS community. The 165mile trip may sound like a lot of hard work, but the hardest work has already been done by riders and organizers. The event requires months of not just training, but also fundraising by riders. It’s an experience that bonds all participants.

“When [riders] get together they renew each other’s energy,” SMART Ride Founder Glen Weinzimer said ahead of the ride. “There’s that sense of family that goes through that group. It goes through the new people who get involved. You can’t explain the feeling that you get on the event until you’ve been on the event.”

Now in its 19th year, the ride will pass the $14 million mark for funds raised.

The SMART Ride is more than a fundraiser to Weinzimer. It’s a very personal legacy project he wants to continue until the HIV/ AIDS crisis is over. Weinzimer is a longtime HIV survivor. While he beat the odds of surviving until current treatments became available, he has lost many loved ones along the way.

Although the SMART Ride is this weekend, the organization and individual riders and teams are still collecting donations. For more information, go to TheSMARTRide.org.

John Hayden

Photo via SMART Ride, Facebook.

From your life... into our pages! SFGN takes a weekly look at a community that has stood together through countless trials and victories in the past year alone.

Photo by J.R. Davis

Art Frenzie owners Debbi Burke and Bernadette Zizzo, pictured here at the SunServe Gala, celebrate The Gallery’s 25year anniversary and their new location.

FLORA, FAUNA, & FUN

A TROPICAL PLANT FAIR COMES TO WILTON MANORS THIS WEEKEND

Why stop and smell just the roses when you can take in the aromas of hundreds of tropical plants? This weekend, A Tropical Plant Fair comes to Richardson Park in Wilton Manors with dozens of vendors selling hundreds of different varieties of plants that are well suited for South Florida’s climate.

Equality Garden Club (EGC) is hosting its annual event that caters to, as one vendor affectionately calls them, “Plant People.” Given South Florida’s sub-tropical climate, we are able to raise a wide variety of exotic plants that wouldn’t survive much farther north.

“This weekend we’ll have vendors bringing all sorts of varieties,” Roger Cruttenden, EGC’s treasurer said. “We will have orchids, regular plants, gardening supplies and even food.”

A field of more than 50 vendors will sprout

up, including JG’s Tropical Plants, which is coming all the way from Vero Beach.

“Last year was a helluva show,” John Goss said. “I’ve spoken at their garden club. It’s a great sale. Everybody does really well and I’m bringing my specialties down there.”

It doesn’t matter if you have just a couple of plants outside your door or a full, aromatic garden, South Florida is a tropical plant paradise.

“It’s an amazing event,” Cruttenden said. “Everyone wants to get out and feel the nature and the idea that they can make their home more beautiful.”

LIFESTYLE IN THE ARENA

COUNTRY MUSIC ROYALTY COMES OUT AS GAY

Sam Williams, grandson of country music pioneer Hank Williams, recently came out.

On an episode of Apple Music’s Proud Radio with Hunter Kelly, the 25-year-old crooner, said he identifies as gay.

“I mean, people at my label know and people in my personal life know, but this is the first time, that I’ve ever been, besides a show or two, that I’ve ever been public about it,” Sam said.

Sam is currently promoting his new album, Glasshouse Children: Tilted Crown. Tour dates have yet to be announced

Sam is one of Hank Williams, Jr.’s four children. Williams, Jr., aka Bocephus, kept the family name on top with iconic songs like, “A Country Boy Can Survive.” In 2011, he ran afoul of the politically correct police and had his Monday Night Football anthem yanked from the air.

Bocephus hasn’t publicly commented on his

son’s coming out.

Sam lost his mother, Mary Jane Thomas, in March of this year following an elective cosmetic surgery in Palm Beach County. The unexpected death came not long after the tragic passing of his sister, Kate, in a 2020 car crash in Tennessee.

“There’s a lot of pain burned into my DNA,” Sam said. “But pain can be a beautiful thing if you know how to deal with it.”

John Hayden

Photo via Facebook.

The fair is this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A two-day admission ticket is $5.

Hunter Houston

Sam Williams. Photo via Facebook.

SFGN’S 2022 BEST OF

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Afew months ago we asked our readers to vote for their favorite restaurants, people, hangouts, and charities — from your favorite burgers and desserts to the Best Guesthouse, Business and Realtor. We received more than 18,000 votes in more than 100 categories.

First you nominated your favorites in each category. The readers chose the Top 3 nominees in each category while the other two nominees were chosen by the staff.

Each year we divide the contest up by county, giving our readers in Palm Beach County, MiamiDade, and Key West a chance to vote for their local favorites and to showcase LGBT friendly establishments outside of Broward

County and the Wilton Manors area.

Remember folks these are your opinions — not ours. Don’t agree with the winners? Then make sure to vote in next year’s contest.

Only those votes that came with valid email addresses were counted.

Due to the growth of the contest we’re no longer able to print all of the stories in the paper. Advertisers were given priority. But you can still view them all online at SFGN. com/bestof2022

And a special thank you to Grieco Ford for sponsoring this year’s contest.

So without any further adieu, here are this year’s winners……

— Jason Parsley

Rick Karlin

Kim Swan

Jesse Monteagudo Denise Royal John McDonald

2520 N. Dixie Highway

Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Phone: 954-530-4970

Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher/Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com

EDITORIAL

Graphic Designers

Julie Palmer

Klye Willis

Assistant to the Editor

Kimberly Swan Webmaster@sfgn.com

Social Media Director Christiana Lilly

SALES &

MARKETING

Director

Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com

Senior Advertising Associate Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com Co-founders Norm Kent Piero Guidugli

Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping Printing by Stuart Web Inc.

Cover photo: Balmie Forret, photo via Facebook. All photos are via Facebook unless otherwise noted.

South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation or gender identity of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN. SFGN contracts with independent entities for stock images. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/ columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

Copyright © 2021 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Sean Conklin

Benny Manning Deon C. Jefferson

Jason Parsley

Thanks to all of our contributors for this special issue...

Jason Parsley with his husband Aydin.

BEST WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER/ BEST LOCAL LGBT ACTIVIST

BEST SERVER (GUY)

CHARLIE D. Alibi

For the fourth year, SFGN readers chose Charlie De La Cruz (Charlie D.), who works the patio at Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar, as Broward’s Best Server (Guy).

Part of the wait staff at the Alibi since 2007, Charlie described his job as “60% job description (to serve meals and beverage) and the other 40% as the guest connection: to let the guests forget about their day for an hour and enjoy the food, music and laughs at the Alibi-Monkey Bar.”

Like all great servers, Charlie knows what each guest wants and needs. If you are a regular, Charlie knows how you want your burger cooked and what brand of beer you drink.

Always modest, Charlie says “Thank you to the Wilton Manors Community and South Florida Gay News for honoring

me again with the wonderful title of ‘Best Server’ 2022. I am humbled and grateful, and I do not take it for granted. Thank you, Johnny Pak, owner of Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar for allowing me to be my best self, at a job I love.”

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

FAYWHAT?!

Faywhat.com

For the second year, SFGN readers chose Chris Caputo Best Wilton Manors City Commissioner. And, for the third year, they chose Caputo the Best Local LGBT Activist. Once again, Caputo excels in both categories.

“I am incredibly honored to have been voted Best Local LGBT Activist and Best Wilton Manors Commissioner,” Caputo said. “My passion is, and has always been, our local community. Being recognized again this year by our community for my passion is the highest honor.”

“This past year has been a difficult one for me. Losing my partner Leo to his struggles with mental health was unexpected and derailed many of my plans for the year. While there have been many ups and downs since his passing, the outpouring of love and support I received for Leo and myself at his celebration of life and since then has reminded me just how important community is. It also brought to the light how much work we need to be do in our community to take care of one another.

“One of the most important opportunities I have been given is to use my platform as a public servant to uplift, empower and fundraise for the organizations that serve our LGBT community. My work with non-profits often blends with my goals as a City Commissioner, one of which is focusing on the arts and theater in our community. It’s an incredible honor to serve on the board of Ronnie Larsen’s Plays of Wilton, but I’m even more excited about the progress we made on the public art and green space policy for our city.”

Looks like FayWhat?! took the top spot for Best Local TV Personality this year. She’s best known for her work on It’s Happening Out Television Network where she’s a fierce and sassy co-anchor and host.

“I’m a Latina, lipstick lesbian that loves her community,  screams for her community and cries with her community,” she said. “Informing the community on Queer News Tonight is a joy and a privilege. Thank you for allowing me to be me. It’s not easy being a girl in this community.  It’s downright hard. Especially for someone that can be very hard on herself for being weird at times. I’m here to represent all the Weird Queer Folks that might be weird but truthfully, their weirdness makes them the fabulous folks they are.”

Make sure you catch Fay on Queer News Tonight and The FayWhat?! show.

“Fay is the heart and soul of everything Happening Out. I’ve had the pleasure of being on cast with her and getting to know her so well over the last few years and she

not only is beautiful and very clever on air, but she is one of the most genuine and caring people I’ve ever met in real life too,” Tony Lima, CEO of SunServe, said. “She is an advocate for our community, for animals, for women, and truly gives her all to everything she is involved in. I am thrilled that the community nominated and chose her for this meaningful award. I love you, Fay!”

Fay is excited to be wrapping up season two of “The FayWhat?! Show” and preparing for season three, starting in January.

RUNNER UP BRANDON ORR (WPLG LOCAL 10)

RUNNER UP - TYLER P.@PUB ON THE DRIVE - JM

RUNNER UP – WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER – SCOTT NEWTON RUNNER UP – LOCAL LGBT ACTIVIST – TONY LIMA

CHRIS CAPUTO ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com

Photo Courtesy of Chris Caputo.

Photo by Sherri Thomas.

BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY/ ARTIST

CLAUDIA CASTILLO

2215 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors

For the fourth year in a row, Claudia Castillo has won Best Artist in Broward. She also won Best Local Celebrity. Castillo has been keeping busy this year. For her studio’s five-year anniversary, she painted the parking meters in Wilton Drive rainbow colors.

“I think people appreciate my artwork and the time that I volunteer to this wonderful community because they know it comes from the heart and that I do it with a lot of love,” Castillo said. “The murals; the conversion of the parking meters to art pieces; the manatee sculpture and rainbow bridge show how small details of art can impact a community to create happiness and be icons loved by the local community as well as those that visit Wilton Manors.  I am very happy to be a part of that effort.”

She opened her art studio and gallery in 2017.

“I am humbled, honored and thankful to everyone for recognizing us again this year,” she said. “I am so touched with the love this community has shown me as it encourages me every day to continue forward on this path.”

RUNNER-UP FOR LOCAL CELEBRITY: JENNIFER MCCLAIN

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST ARTIST: AVI RAM

BEST BARTENDER AND BEST SERVER (GAL)

Apt 9F

Alli at Apt. 9F serves up a mean cocktail and knows how to charm her customers. That’s probably why she’s won Best Server and Best Bartender.

“She is a tattooed drink slinging maven. She’s incredibly witty. She knows the drink menu inside and out and she can do them blindfolded,” one huge fan told SFGN. “It might be Nancy and Carol’s restaurant but it’s Alli’s bar.”

Apt. 9F, a cocktail bar in Wilton Manors, describes itself as “an unpretentious place for inventive drinks, a good glass of wine, some delicious nibbles, and most importantly love, laughter, and good juju.”

“I am so thankful to be able to do something I thoroughly enjoy! We’ve got an amazing team at Apt 9F and the most fabulous clientele which creates the narrative of good times and good vibes. It’s a whole experience and I love that I get to be part of it,” Alli said.

Alli has been bartending for more than 10 years and has been working at Apt. 9F since day one when they opened up in 2019. She doesn’t have a signature drink.

“But I love to make a delicious espresso martini and definitely don’t mind if you ask me to make you something fun,” she said.

RUNNER-UP BARTENDER (GAL): VICKIE B. @ BOARDWALK

RUNNER-UP SERVER (GAL): EMMA @ TULIO’S TACOS AND TEQUILA BAR

BEST DOCTOR

DR. NOAH LEE @ MIDLAND MEDICAL

Dr. Noah Lee takes home the award for Best Doctor in this new category.

“Oh I was surprised I was even nominated. I am humbled and grateful. I think I take care of my patients the way doctors did in the past, speaking on their levels, and listening to them and their concerns,” Lee said. “Thank you for even considering me in this category. Appreciate it and am grateful. We are continuing to strive to support our community in ways that benefit us all.”

Lee has been with Midland since 2006. His certifications include American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Licensed Family Practitioner, and American Academy of HIV Medicine Certified Specialist.

RUNNER-UP: DR. CORNELIUS SCANNELL (HOLY CROSS MEDICAL GROUP)

BEST TRANS ADVOCATE

TIFFANY ARIEAGUS

This year, Tiffany Arieagus has won the title of Best Trans Advocate in Broward County for her work as Director of Case Management for SunServe’s Housing Program.

Arieagus is a pioneer of South Florida’s drag scene; entertaining her audiences over the decades has brought her great pride and joy. Now, she works as an advocate for her community through SunServe.

“I am truly honored to have been voted best Transgender Advocate by the South Florida Gay News readers for 2022. This recognition is a testament to the hard work we do daily here at SunServe to improve the lives of Transgender People through our no-cost mental health programs, housing case management, substance use disorder care, linkage to healthcare, and so much more,” Arieagus said. “It feels all the more remarkable to celebrate being selected as 2022’s Transgender Advocate during Transgender Awareness Month as we lead up to Transgender Day of Remembrance. I accept this honor on behalf of all Trans People, especially Black Transgender Women of Color, who have struggled and, sadly, lost their lives to prejudice and violence. I will continue to fight

for the rights of all of our LGBTQ+ siblings.”

The Housing Program works to prevent homelessness by providing assistance to those facing eviction or falling behind in rent, as well as to assist the homeless in finding somewhere to go. SunServe is committed to helping those in need, and if their Housing Program is unable to provide financial assistance, Arieagus says they will direct you to a program that can.

Visit SunServe’s website to learn more.

BEST BARTENDER (GUY)

BRANDON H.

It’s official. Brandon H. is now an SFGN Best Of winner.

“My regulars and I have had a little joke about how I was like the Susan Lucci of SFGN because I have been nominated so many times but never won,” Brandon joked.

But just like Lucci, Brandon finally won Best Bartender. He’s been a serving up drinks for 20 years and currently works at Hunter’s in Wilton Manors.

The Fort Lauderdale native said he really honed his bartending skills in Boston.

“Big cocktail scene there,” he said. “I have a few signature drinks I like to do but the one people seem to really to be drawn to lately are my margaritas.”

And by the way that cocktail was also nominated for Best Drink this year.

Brandon loves being able to meet people from all walks of life.

“My regulars are the absolute best. So many have gone from bar patrons to good friends. I’m very fortunate and don’t take for granted what my customers do for me,” Brandon said. “I’d like to add also that I couldn’t do what I do without the amazing people I get to work with everyday at Hunters. I just feel really lucky.”

RUNNER-UP: FRANK @ DRYNK BAR & LOUNGE - KS

JOSIE SMITH-MALAVE

For the third time in SFGN’s Best Of, Josie Smith-Malave has won the Best Chef award.

“I was inspired by the need to diversify the options for food in an already diverse town,” she said back in 2018. “Every gay city I’ve ever know has everything so why not Wilton Manors too? Plus, we have plenty of burger and wing spots.” Bubbles + Pearls is a raw bar focusing on oysters.

Smith-Malave owns Bubbles & Pearls in Wilton Manors and is known for her appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef series. Besides being a chef Smith-Malave has also dipped her toes in politics, once running for mayor of Wilton Manors. She also nominated for Best New Activist in 2020. RUNNER-UP:

Photo via midlandmed.com.

Photo via www.huntersftlauderdale.com

RUNNER UP: MISTY EYEZ ALICEA

Director - Housing Program at SunServe

BEST DRAG PERFORMER

SHASTA MCNASTIE

This year things got shaken up with Shasta McNastie snatching the crown for Best Drag Performer – her first time winning.

“To be honest I was a little shocked that I had won. I am extremely humbled. I believe strongly in what you put out is what you get back. I try to share love, kindness and happiness not just through my everyday life but also while on the stage,” McNastie said. “I believe that you should always put people up and not tear them down. There are so many talented queens and entertainers in this city and I am humbled and proud to be a part of this community.”

She’s currently the reigning Miss Pub on the Drive at large.

Catch McNastie at The Pub where she

hosts a variety of “shakedowns” such as Shasta’s Halloween Shakedown, Shasta’s Labor Day Weekend Shakedown, and more. She also hosts a monthly drag brunch at the Pub.

BEST REAL ESTATE

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

CARLOS BLANCO

Carlos Blanco is proud to be a … bear! We’re not sure if that helps his massage techniques but he’s our Best Message Therapist for 2022.

“I’m super friendly. I’m the funniest person I know,” he said. “And I love being a bear!”

But back to the massage. He’s been with Cabanas Spa for almost a year and is trained in both Eastern and Western modalities of massage. He specializes in Deep Tissue massage, CBD oil massage, acupressure massage, Tui Na, Gua Sha and Hot modalities (Hot Stone).

He’s 35, an army veteran, and has a self-described “great beard.” SFGN independently verified the beard and it’s true.

“I’m one of the few massage therapists who does Fire Cupping,” he said. We’re not sure what Fire Cupping is, but we’re sure Blanco is damn good at it.

Blanco is also in school training to be a doctor of Oriental Medicine Lastly Blanco wants everyone to know “I’m a huge Pokémon nerd!”

Tom Wolf is a long-time pro and now he’s a Best Of award winner bringing home the top prize for Best Real Estate Agent. He’s been in the business for over two decades.

“During that time, I have worked diligently to help my clients make one of the most important decisions of their lives, and have built both close business and personal relationships with most of my clients,” he said. “The community knows how committed I am in exceeding their expectations in regard to their real estate transactions and winning this award is a testament to the quality, care, and caliber of service I strive to provide.”

Wolf is no stranger to awards for his work.

“My team and I are continually awarded as Top Producer at RE/MAX Experience and recently as of September 2022, we ranked #20 of the Top 100 RE/MAX teams in all of Florida,” he noted.

Even so, he’s still excited to be named a Best Of winner.

“Thank you, to all of you who voted. I am very humbled to be chosen,” he said. “The real estate market is an inflection point. We are no longer in the frenzy of the last two years. Due to interest rate hikes that is softening the demand in the Real Estate Market. If you are interested in the latest real estate market conditions reach out would love the opportunity to answer your questions.”

RUNNER-UP: JIMMY CUNNINGHAM @ RE/MAX

RUNNER-UP: DAISY DEADPETALS - KS

Photo by Corey Moore.

TOM WOLF @ RE/MAX

RUNNER-UP: ROBERT NOCIFORA AT GRAND RESORT

BEST LOCAL ACTOR/ LOCAL ENTERTAINER

JENNIFER MCCLAIN

Jennifer McClain is on a roll as the Best Local Actor and Local Entertainer. She won in both of those categories in 2020 and 2021 as well.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the ‘best’ entertainer and actor, but we have so many amazing performers in our community that are equally deserving of recognition,” McClain said. “Thank you South Florida for supporting all live theater and cabaret. Without the audience we might as well be singing in our showers.”

McClain is keeping busy this year and next. Her and Miss Bouvèé are shooting a new movie in Wilton Manors titled “Big Easy Queens.” They haven’t set a premiere date yet because they want to see which film festivals will pick it up during the 2023 season.

BEST NEW LGBT ACTIVIST

MARIO DEPEDRO

Director of Youth Services for SunServe, Mario DePedro, was named the Best New LGBT Activist in Broward.

In his position DePedro creates safe spaces and events for young LGBT people and their families.

DePedro has been with SunServe for 5 years, and took over the role as director in April. As director he oversees all of the youth programming.

“I am very thankful for being recognized,” he said. “The life coaching, therapy, and group support services we offer at SunServe are critical services in empowering the next generation of LGBTQ leaders. LGBTQ youth have been under attack through measures such as “Don’t Say Gay” and the Florida Board of Medicine’s attack on gender-affirming care so now more then ever LGBTQ young people need support and safe spaces to be themselves so that they can have a successful transition to adulthood. It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to oversee this one of a kind program in which LGBTQ youth get access to free mental health care and support.”

Looking forward DePedro said they’re focusing on more in person services and group activists for youth.

BEST LOCAL DJ

TREVOR OLDROYD

Trevor Oldroyd may be a new face to the local DJ scene, but he’s already made enough of an impression to take home the prize for Best DJ. Oldroyd has been a professional DJ for about 18 months.

“Rosie’s Bar & Grill gave me my first ever gig on Independence Day weekend in 2021,” he said. “My style can vary but I am all about House music. I play mostly disco and classic house as well as a lot of Tech House and Underground Techno to keep the energy pumping all night long.”

Oldroyd can be found every Wednesday night at Rosie’s Bar & Grill from 5 to 10 p.m. Starting next month, you can find him every Tuesday night at Bahama Breeze for the “Give Back Night.” He’s also at Ramrod a few times each month on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to close. You can also listen to his work on an online Radio station, EagleRadio.pro, every night from 7 to 8 p.m.

“I would like to add the I really appreciate all the love I have been shown from Rosie’s, Ramrod, Eagle Radio, Underground Wilma,

and definitely everyone who comes to my gigs to help support my dreams to spread love and positive energy by bringing people together through music,” he said. “I’d like to thank my partner Travis for the countless hours he spends on making this dream a reality. He is my number one supporter.”

RUNNER-UP: ALEX FERBEYRE

- JP

BEST BARISTA

Even though Archibalds Village Bakery just opened in 2021 the eatery made a big impression on SFGN readers this year. They were nominated for numerous best of awards with Chris Archibald taking home the prize for Best Barista.

Archibalds describes itself as a new anglo American bakery located a block off Fort Lauderdale beach.

“Archibalds is truly a place you’ll be made to feel right at home and served some amazing coffee and hand crafted speciality drinks,” Archibald said.

The bakery was opened by Chris and Justin Mathys Archibald.

Archibald said he’s made it his “mission that everyone leaves happy and could not be happier that people voted for him in this category.”

Archibald described the bakery as “part coffee shop part bakery” where they “blend their English and American roots to produce fresh baked pastries bread and delicious locally brewed coffee.”

Archibald said it’s his goal to make their customers “feel at home the second you walk in. And that usually starts with a booming greeting in a very very broad English accent from me.”

BOB B. @ STORK’S BAKERY

RUNNER-UP FOR LOCAL ACTOR: RONNIE LARSEN RUNNER-UP FOR ENTERTAINER: MATTHEW DARREN

Photo via jennifermcclainlive.com

RUNNER-UP: MARIO CAMPOS (YOUTH SERVICES SPECIALIST @ LATINOS SALUD)

(PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES @ SUNSERVE)

Photo by Steven T. Shires.

RUNNER-UP:

CHRIS Archibalds Village Bakery

BEST TACO/ MEXICAN

TULIO’S TACOS AND TEQUILA BAR

2150 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors, 954-530-5523 www.tuliostacos.com

When the word taco is in your name, you’d better deliver and Tulio’s does, time after time. It’s become a popular gathering spot, especially on Tuesday nights when all tacos are $1 off and Mexican beer is just $3 and Don Julio shots are $5. Book an Uber and enjoy.

Tulio’s was developed by longtime friends Brian Parenteau, Doug Herbst, and Tulio Alas. They’ve created a place where friends come together, and make great memories while enjoying any of the dozen varieties of killer tacos served.

The “Not Tacos” section of the menu also holds some wonderful classics and inventive dishes, garnering the Best Mexican prize, as well.

Bar food has come a long way since the days of microwaved pizza and pickled eggs. A few years ago the bar decided to revamp its menu and it continues to fine-tune it.

While I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a gastro-pub, it does serve up some solid pub fare, befitting the name. You’re not going to find anything too fancy, although you can get a good skirt steak, for club sandwiches and loaded tater-tots you can’t go wrong.

And, how good is its burger? It was runner-up to Rosie’s for Best Burger this year.

Besides good food, the Pub also took home the prize for Best Bang for Your Buck. When the biggest thing in your pants isn’t your wallet, you’re looking to get good value for your buck. That doesn’t mean cheap food, it means good value. The Pub’s bar food menu wins this category, being both well-made and well-priced. The runner-up in this new category is another landmark on the drive, Courtyard Café, where the sassy servers and classic diner fare fill you up without emptying your bank account.

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST TACO: TATTS & TACOS BEER GARDEN RUNNER-UP FOR BEST MEXICAN: LA BAMBA.

You may be surprised to learn that this is the first year that Stork’s is winning this category. That’s because we retitled this award. Stork won the Best Dessert category nine years in a row. Now they’re winning for all their baked goods, as is proper. Stork’s has been a local Wilton Manors favorite since 1997.

It features seven types of freshly brewed coffee each day, as well as a vast array of teas, smoothies, cappuccinos, and lattes, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to eat in or take home. The baked goods are made fresh daily; Danishes, muffins, scones, cakes, pies, cookies, and bars, not to mention seasonal and holiday desserts that are so popular throughout South Florida. In addition to winning Best Bakery their Apple Crumb Pie took the runner-up spot for Best Dessert.    Make sure to try the tarts, which are especially popular. Flavors include fresh fruit, the award-winning Lemon White Chocolate Mousse Tarts, and their Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Tart.

Proof that you don’t have to be a fancy, white-linen tablecloth kind of place to win. Papa Duke’s has a very limited menu, with less than a half-dozen sandwich offerings, a few salads, and a couple of breakfast items. That’s it, but that’s all it needs to score Best New Restaurant.

“We take pride in providing the freshest and best quality ingredients in each sandwich,” said George Meeker. He encourages his fans to “Follow them on social media for new specials daily.”

Each one of those sandwiches is a gem and everything is presented with pride and care. Taking over a spot in a former laundromat, Papa Dukes’ has become a landmark in Wilton Manors, which should make it no surprise that it also won Best Sandwich.

Meeker recommends their Drunken Brisket, Corned Beef, or The Italian.

“We have felt very welcomed by the community since we opened and look forward to many more years of seeing everyone,” Meeker said.

BEST RESTAURANT IN WILTON MANORS/ PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER/ BURGER

We split this category up to represent different geographic areas. It gives a truer representation of our readership. Contrary to popular opinion the world does not fall into outer space outside the border of Wilton Manors.  Dividing this category also gives some other popular restaurants a chance against the juggernaut that is Rosie’s, which takes the crown for the 10th time.

“We always work hard to maintain our high standards and quality, knowing that people have several options when they go out to eat, and we always try to offer more than a meal…we offer a little escape from the daily stressful hustle and give everyone a place to be part of a family,” said owner John Zieba. “We truly appreciate our guests for always supporting Rosie’s and being a part of our Rosie’s family.”

The popular community gathering spot is known for its killer burgers (it captured the Best Burger crown too).

Besides their burgers Zieba also recommends their huge salads and fresh fish.  Rosie’s takes home the win for Best Place to Take an Out of Towner as well, because really no trip to Wilton Manors is complete without a visit to Rosie’s.

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST NEW RESTAURANT: MAMMA MIA’S ITALIAN BISTRO RUNNER-UP FOR BEST SANDWICH: LASPADA’S ORIGINAL HOAGIES

BEST RESTAURANT IN FORT LAUDERDALE /ITALIAN

BEST ICE CREAM/ GELATO

WILTON CREAMERY

2301 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors 954-565-1183 www.wiltoncreamery.com

With chef-curated flavors, this upscale boutique celebration of dairy, located in the heart of Wilton Manors, is not just another ice cream shop. Seasonal and rotating flavors of ice cream and vegan/gluten-free/non-dairy options combined with hundreds of toppings and sauces for an endless array of pleasures that can be enjoyed in the beautiful loft space or at the spacious outdoor seating, where the people-watching is spectacular.

“We offer a great product in a pleasant environment served by nice people,” said D.J. Colby. “Our pricing is also significantly lower than our competition. I also think that the Chef driven Small and Limited Batches keep interest high.”

Make sure to check out their upcoming holiday flavors, which includes Peppermint, NonDairy Peppermint and Eggnog. The three most popular flavors are “He’s Not Worth It…”, Christopher Loves Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel.

While exotic and one of a kind is delightful, sometimes folks want the familiar, childhood favorites, and that is why the Wilton Manors Dairy Queen wins runner-up.

- RK

IL MULINO

1800 E. Sunrise 954-524-1800 www.ilmulinofl.com

By setting boundaries, we allowed another dining location popular in our community to join the award-winning family. With recipes made in-house that date back three generations – Il Mulino has become Fort Lauderdale’s go-to Italian restaurant for friends and family. Whether customers are looking for a glass of fine wine, a lite-fare meal, or a classic Italian dish, this comfortable yet intimate restaurant is a longtime favorite.

“Our team works hard, we are very proud of them and we are excited for the recognition,” said Eddie Dos Santos, Manager of Il Mulino Italian Restaurant. He attributed their win to their “perseverance and consistency since day one. We are excited and honored and flattered.”

In a surprising win, the Fort Lauderdale landmark has taken the top spot for Best Italian from long-time winner Bona Italian, which garnered a runner-up position this year.

“We are very respectful to the classics of Italian cuisine, but also inventive with our techniques, balance of flavors, presentation, and the friendliness of our team,” Santos said.

Santos recommends their anelli’s and homemade pasta that “you cannot find anywhere.”

RUNNER-UP FOR ITALIAN: BONA ITALIAN RESTAURANT -

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST ICE CREAM: WILTON MANORS DAIRY QUEEN

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST RESTAURANT IN FORT LAUDERDALE: KALUZ.

BEST BAR FOR BEARS/BAR FOR LEATHER

THE EAGLE

2209 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors EagleBarWM.com

From Stranger Beats to the Bear Cave, the Eagle in Wilton Manors has it all. The club has won both Best Bar for Bears and Leather, winning twice in both categories.

“We have been working hard to bring the best entertainment, events and parties that are geared towards the Leather and Bear Communities, as well as put together a world class Dance Floor with incredible DJ’s, technology and sound. We are humbled and proud to have received this recognition,” The Eagle told SFGN in 2021.

The club is featuring Wilton’s Holiday Wonderland on Dec. 3, a holiday market and street fair. It will have singers, dancers, and special performances. You can be a vendor or buy tickets by visiting eaglebarwm.com.

RUNNER-UP FOR BAR FOR BEARS: SCANDALS

RUNNER-UP FOR BAR FOR LEATHER: RAMROD - KS

BEST DRINK

SMOKED OLD FASHIONED @ DRYNK BAR & LOUNGE

2255 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Drynkftl.com

When you just need the perfect drink to quench your thirst look no further than DrYnk Bar in Wilton Manors. Patrons just can’t get enough of their Smoked Old Fanshioned. It’s won Best Drink for the fourth time in a row.

The bar also serves a variety of margaritas such as peach, passionfruit, and cucumber. According to their website, they serve “delicious craft cocktails in a comfortable intimate lounge, with fun and friendly staff,” and the customers must agree with them.

“Great atmosphere and amazing staff. When you go here [they] can make any drinks you want personally tailored to your taste. Also go for the pretzels snacks and the nuts. Will definitely come back,” a customer wrote in a review.

- KS

RUNNER-UP: BLOODY MARY @ SCANDALS SALOON

Photo via Drynkftl.com.

The

What makes the salon different from other barbershops is that they’re LGBTfriendly, which they are proud of.

“We couldn’t do it without the guys that work here,” said co-owner Christian Santiago in 2021. “What stands out is the quality of our services and the expertise of our guys. We have an amazing shop. It’s a unique shop, modeled after a 1950s gas station.”

In 2021, Dick’s paid tribute to Bob Neu, a stylist of theirs who died in August.

“He was the kind of guy who was always there, so much so that we all expected him to always be there. Making each memory we shared with him feel that much more valuable,” Dick’s posted on Facebook.

Santiago and his husband Eric McKnight started the business in 2016.

NSI Group is the BEST !!!!

W ith my busy work schedule Yuriel Munoz and his team made sure I was well taken care of.

Christa L.

Pleasant staff, easy to work with, follows up on questions, responds quickly to phone calls, convenient about their customer’s needs.

RMHJA Jr.

Small, local, very friendly insurance company. By far had the best rates when looking for insurance for our condo.

Steven G.

Someone was always there to help us out and understood our needs.

Jerry & Bill

Hunter’s Nightclub in Wilton Manors is a perennial winner in SFGN’s Best Of. For eight years in a row, readers have chosen Hunter’s as the Best Bar in Broward County.

“It is our goal at Hunter’s Nightclubs to assure each and every patron a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment experience. Our primary objective has always been to get your spirits elevated.”

In addition, for the second consecutive year, Hunter’s own Mark Hunter was chosen as this county’s Best Business Owner.

Hunter’s survived the pandemic as well as problems that would have destroyed other pubs or clubs. Much of Hunter’s success is due to a talented and hardworking staff headed by the talented and hardworking Mark Hunter. Under his leadership, Hunter’s remains above all a community-driven business, supporting causes as diverse as the Pride Center, Flockfest and the Pet Project.

“We love what we do, and we take great pride in providing our customers with the very best experience,” said Bruce Howe. “Our team is made up of exceptional DJs, the very best audio-visual technicians, expertly trained bartenders, bar-backs, and security personnel. Our customers deserve the very best.”

Photo

BEST SOCIAL GROUP

BEARS OF SOUTH FLORIDA Bosfl.org

For the eighth time now, the Bears of South Florida won Best Social Group of Broward County.

“Celebrating its 20th year of operation, the Bears of South Florida provides a safe and welcoming space for the Bear community of South Florida to socialize and engage in fundraising activities to benefit the local LGBTQ community,” said Mark Joseph Fox, Secretary of the organization. “This year we have expanded our programming to include additional social activities including movie nights, wine dinners, theater and concert events, bowling, and even a field trip to Zoo Miami.”

The group is hosting their annual Teddy Bear Drive at Hunters with the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida on Nov. 25.

“We will raise money to buy thousands of bears for pediatric patients in the Broward Health system,” he said. “We will be busy Bears in the near future.”

Their holiday party will take place the first weekend of December at the Pride Center.

For the fourth year in a row, the Safe “T” Trans/Gender Non-comforming Group hosted by SunServe has won the title of Best Group for Trans People in Broward County.

The Safe “T” Support Group is a weekly drop-in support group for those who do not conform to gender stereotypes, open to transgender and gender-queer people only. They meet every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SunServe’s Wilton Manors Campus.  SunServe is a social service agency dedicated to providing inclusive care to South Florida’s LGBT population, the first to do so when

they opened their doors in 2002. SunServe’s Transgender Services Department was created in 2014 and has since helped hundreds of locals to find appropriate medical care and assistance.

To learn more about more about Safe “T” Transgender/Gender-Noncomforming Group and SunServe’s other transgender support groups, visit their website at sunserve.org.

RUNNER UP: TRANSSOCIAL

RUNNER-UP: HUNTER’S POSSE

BEST GROUP FOR SENIORS

SILVERSERVE@

SUNSERVE www.sunserve.org

For the first time, SilverServe@SunServe beat the Pride Center’s popular Coffee & Conversation weeklies as the Best Group for Seniors. Though SilverServe’s most important program is its Noble A. McArtor Senior Day Center at the Sunshine Cathedral, many seniors know the group for its monthly Silver Serve Luncheons.

In the words of Lisa Peters, Director of the Senior Program and Daycare Center, this “is a casual lunch gathering for LGBT seniors from across Broward County, to increase awareness of services as well as practical information. This monthly program allows LGBT seniors an opportunity to come together and mix with peers, share a meal, and get to know how to better age in place in a healthy manner to lead a more vibrant life.”

The SilverServe Luncheon is held on the second Friday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon averages 40 attendees per month.”

BEST SUPPORT GROUP

SUNSERVE  YOUTH

1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale

It’s a challenging time for young LGBT people attending school amid Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Law, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.  SunServe’s Youth Group allows young people to express themselves without fear. The support groups are for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-17, their allies, siblings, and parents.

“Our youth group is a space where youth are able to form a community with other youth who have similar experiences to them outside of their own schools,” said Mario

DePedro, SunServe’s Youth and Family Program Director. “Through our programming, we empower young people to overcome barriers, achieve their goals and have a successful transition into adulthood, and these youth will become the change-makers that our country needs. It is an honor to have this work recognized by the readers of SFGN.”

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Peters.

RUNNER UP – COFFEE & CONVERSATION& PRIDE - JM

RUNNER-UP: LATINOS SALUD YOUTH GROUP - DR

Photo by Steven T. Shires.

BEST MEDICAL PRACTICE

MIDLAND MEDICAL midlandmed.com

For the first time ever, Midland Medical has won the Best Medical Practice in Broward award.

The medical group attributed its win to their “commitment to providing the highest quality of medical care to the community to all our patients.”

The center has been servicing the Oakland Park and Wilton Manors community for over a decade, claiming to make managing healthcare easy. It has a full service pharmacy on-site, and many medications prescribed at a doctor visit can be filled immediately.

The center offers other services as well.

“The Midland family is proud to announce our nonprofit division, Midland Cares, which provides health insurance solutions and an array of services to the community,” Midland said.

RUNNER-UP: HOLY CROSS MEDICAL GROUP – KS

Photo via Google Maps.

BEST GIFT STORE BEST ART GALLERY

TO THE MOON

2205 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale

ToTheMoonMarketplace.com

From an eclectic array of candy to toys for children and adults alike, To The Moon has it all.

And for the eighth year in a row, the store won the Best Gift Store in Broward.

“Many of our customers have been shopping here since the day we opened,” said owner Antonio Dumas. “Many businesses closed during the pandemic, thanks to you we survived. Thank you.”

Some of To The Moon’s unique items include Christmas ornaments, X-rated cards, and collections of Betty Boop, Lucy, and Wizard of Oz.

“We are a unique store that offers over 20,000 different items,” he said. “If you have been here before you know that there are surprises on every shelf. So do something fun and take a trip To The

Moon.”

Some of the store’s most popular items include anything related to Golden Girls of which the store has about 20 different items. And if there is one candy that you must buy, it’s peanut butter cups.

“Our homemade milk, white and dark peanut butter cups are known around the globe, people love them,” he said. “This is one of my ultimate favorites.”

– KS

In 2022 the Pride Factory, Broward County’s Best Clothing Store, finally moved to the Drive; to the Shoppes of Wilton Manors (home of Hunter’s Nightclub and Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar).

Dedicated followers of fashion now have a new and better place to shop, right in the heart of Wilton Manors. Here they will find a variety of stylish men’s fashions including swimwear, underwear, accessories, and even some novelty items (though not the adult videos that graced the Factory during its early days).

The Pride Factory’s new address is a vast improvement over its previous location and its staff is as friendly and knowledgeable as ever. RUNNER-UP: MACY’S

CLAUDIA CASTILLO ART STUDIO

2215 WILTON DR, WILTON MANORS, FL 33305

Of the five years that Claudia Castillo ART Studio has been a part of Wilton Drive, this is the third year in a row that the studio has won the title of Best Art Gallery in Broward County.

Owner and artist Claudia Castillo has helped bring color into Wilton Manors, with public art projects like painting the parking meters along the Drive, Rainbow Bridge, and the manatee sculpture at Justin Flippen Park. Her gallery is a culmination of her passion for art, featuring work from other artists, her own art, jewelry, and a variety of home decor.

“I love my studio and enjoy being there each day and meeting new people who love art or just want to stop in and say hello. I consider the studio a special place that always has its doors open to receive everyone. It is a place where you can always find something new for yourself or for a gift with the beautiful unique artwork and collectable items that we have available. Our

warmest thanks again to everyone for their support for the past years.”

In a recent interview conducted in celebration of her fifth anniversary, she said, “I hope that everyone can visit the studio in the next few months to enjoy our new collections of artist’s work, my artwork and all of the unique gift ideas for the holidays!”

Castillo’s art gallery is a great place for unique gifts as well.

“After my artwork, the jewelry and bracelets are the most popular items we offer,” she said. “Clients love the original designed natural stone pieces that can be custom fit.”

– BM

Photo via Instagram.

RUNNER-UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO ART STUDIO

RUNNER-UP: ART FRENZIE

BEST THRIFT STORE

OUT OF THE CLOSET

1785 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale 2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

Out of the Closet’s tagline is the world’s most fabulous thrift store. And the store really lives up to it. Whether you’re looking for a great bargain or a great way to give back to the community, shopping at Out of the Closet is an excellent way to do both. All three stores in South Florida are a goto for people looking for retro clothing, quality furniture items, home décor, vintage records, electronics, and much more.

The windows on Wilton Drive are usually dressed to the nines. Once you walk in, you’ll find it’s also a great place to look for affordable holiday décor, no matter what holiday it is.

“Out of the Closet customers love that $0.96 of every $1 goes to support AIDS Healthcare Foundations HIV/AIDS treatment, awareness and prevention services provided in the local community,”

said Robert Tolleson. “As well, we get lots of great feedback on the customer focused feeling our shoppers receive from the staff.”

Out of the Closet provides free HIV testing and AHF Pharmacy services at all of its locations. It is the perfect place to donate your clothing, shoes, kitchenware, furniture, tools, and artwork; they also offer scheduled pick-ups for larger donations.

“With the winter season approaching and an array of holiday festivities taking place, our shoppers can expect some great sales to be announced and that we will continue to provide quality items at an affordable price,” Tolleson said.

RUNNER-UP: POVERELLO THRIFT STORE – DR

“Our Wellness Clinic opened just two years ago,” said Stephen Fallon, Latinos Salud’s Executive Director. “We’re so grateful to the SFGN readers for voting us Best PrEP Clinic two years in a row!”

It also won Best PrEP Clinic and Best Nonprofit in Miami. Founded in 2008, Latinos Salud is an inclusive space for Latino gay men and their partners by providing reliable access to health screenings, community events, and links to other resources.

“Getting on PrEP to protect yourself from HIV shouldn’t be an ordeal,” Fallon said. “We make getting on PrEP easy: one short visit, and you leave with a prescription. As our name implies, we publicize our services mainly to the underserved gay Latino community. But everyone is welcome at all four of our South Florida locations.”

But they’re more than just a clinic too.

“There’s

to express my heartfelt appreciation to every individual who took the time to cast their vote in SFGN’s Best of 2022 survey. This annual survey recognizes many of our treasures in South Florida and especially Wilton Manors. Your time is appreciated and your vote mattered to every nominee you chose as well as our entire South Florida community.

As City Commissioner in Wilton Manors, I take personal pride in the fact that 100+ Wilton Manors-based businesses, organizations and individuals made this year’s list of nominees. Whether you’re a Wilton Manors resident or visitor, it’s engaged individuals like you along with the nominees from this year’s survey that play a critical role in ensuring “Life’s just better here” in Wilton Manors. I’d also like to offer a special congratulations to this year’s winners in their respective category!

I am extremely honored to have been awarded this year’s Best LGBT Advocate for a 3rd year in a row as well as Best Wilton Manors Politician for the 2nd year in a row.

SunServe provides housing, mental health and other social services to those in need. Its substance use disorder and transgender services departments provide competent care to the community. It has a Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program to assist people with HIV find a place to live.

SunServe provides education to help reduce stigma and can link its clients to HIV medical care through its partnership with AHF. But it’s not just doing the work that earns SunServe so many superlatives. It’s how it does it, and the credit goes to the hardworking people who work there.

“SunServe has been experiencing a renaissance over the last year with the expansion of core programs, the addition of new services, and hiring of several key staff members that have really made our mental health work and social services stronger for the communities we serve,” said SunServe’s CEO Tony Lima. “I just celebrated my first year as CEO, and I can tell you that our staff has never been more diverse, passionate, and committed as we are in this moment in time.”

RUNNER-UP FOR NONPROFIT: LATINOS SALUD

RUNNER-UP FOR HIV RELATED NONPROFIT: LATINOS SALUD

– DR

I am grateful for the platform I have been given and I wake up each day determined to live up to the level of success these honors deserve. A special thank you to those readers who cast their vote for me: your ongoing support and trust is very much appreciated!

It is not lost on me that the very nature of both of these awards is that neither is possible without the support and leadership of my peers, mentors and partners. Progress in the city of Wilton Manors comes only with a consensus of at least 3 commissioners and the tireless efforts of our city staff.

Advocacy on critical issues in our community is by its nature a community led effort that we all play a required role in. Our voices, as one, carry much further and the need for us to be heard is now more than ever!

With our shared future in mind, I kindly ask for your suggestions on what actions I can take to make Wilton Manors a better place. Please text me at (954) 557-2801 or email me atccaputo@wiltonmanors.com

Thanks again for your support.

Photo Courtesy of SunServe.

Dear SFGN Readers, Wilton Manors Residents & Guests,

BEST CLEANING COMPANY

BUTLERS IN THE MANOR

www.butlersinthemanor.com

all of

cleaning needs there is clearly only one place to go: Bulters in the Manor. They are now a four-time champ in the Best Cleaning Company category.

“I am so proud of the team at Butlers in the Manor, voted #1 Cleaning Company by SFGN readers four years in a row!” said owner Andrew Durning. “I believe our success lies in our commitment to excellence.  Butlers in the Manor consistently delivers the high standards we have set by working together as a team to accomplish our goals including... staying upto-date on the latest information regarding residential and commercial cleaning and safety standards, providing energetic and enthusiastic service, being flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, and delivering excellence above and beyond our client’s expectations.”

Durning launched the company in 2011 and

has been in the business for over 30 years. The company provides professional cleaning services.

Giving back is a big part of Durning’s business.

“We are so proud of our partnership with Cleaning for a Reason, offering free cleanings to people who are in cancer treatment so they can focus on getting better,” he said.

RUNNER-UP: RON’S CARPET CLEANING - KS

BEST INSURANCE COMPANY

PALLANT/NSI INSURANCE GROUP

1800 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors

Pallant Insurance Agency

For our special Reader’s Choice, Pallant Insurance Agency has won Best Insurance Company for two years in a row.

The agency opened in 2006 and has become a staple business in Wilton Manors. It aims to bring comfort and ease during the insurance process, according to its website.

“Pallant/NSI Insurance Group has called Wilton Manors home for years. We have been named a Best Practices Agency for five consecutive years and were recently the recipient of the 2022 Insurance Agency of the Year by National Underwriter Magazine,” said CEO Oscar Seikaly. “It is very humbling and gratifying to be nominated and voted Best Insurance Agency by the people and businesses we serve. Our loyal clients have an expectation for our team to be responsive, professional and knowledgeable, and we are

motivated to exceed their expectations each and every day.”

They specialize in home, business flood, and personal flood insurances.

RUNNER-UP: WE INSURE

- KS

Blamie Forret is on a roll, to say the least. She swept SFGN’s Best Of contest this year winning a whopping six awards and taking the runner-up spot in a seventh.

She brought home the top prize for Best Artist/Musician; Best Drag Performer; Best Local Entertainer; and Best Comedian. Her weekly gig, Blamie’s Boozie Bingo, won Best Activity for Tourists and while her Trivia Happy Hour won Best Ongoing event as well taking the runnerup spot for Best Hidden Gem.

“This is my first year officially doing drag as a full-time career, and I’m a hard worker. I work 7 days a week doing what I love. I have a fire lit under my hip pads that’s not going out anytime soon, and that’s why I won,” she said. “My two-year sobriety also contributed to me being able to focus on my career. But as much of a hard worker and funny girl that I am, I couldn’t have won all these awards without the support of my fans. People say, you have drinking buddies, then you have your true friends. Other Queens have their drunk audience, I have my true fans. Their support means the world to me. Love you all!”

And she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

“I’m expanding just like my hips pads! I have a new event coming to Ocean Drive making me the first queen to have her own solo event on Ocean Drive,” she said. The new gig is Blamie’s Boozie Spelling Bee. “It’s also the first adult Drag spelling bee in Miami.”

Forret is ready to “make Miami gay again.” She takes pride in creating unique events, some of which are outside of traditional LGBT spaces.

“I’m the first queen to start a regular drag event in Brickell at Tobacco Road,” she said. “I pride myself on creating unique events in Miami to combat the typical two-minute marbled lipsyncs scattered throughout the city.”

Forret is a true entertainer and loves making folks laugh.

“I absolutely love what I do, and I love being Miami’s Comedy Queen,” she said.

R House Wynwood is on a roll for SFGN’s Best Of: it won Best Restaurant four times, and Best Hidden Gem two times.

“I think we won because we have always worked so hard to create an amazing experience for our guests at R House,” said Rocco Carulli, the owner and executive chef of R House. “At this point our brunch is a Miami institution and now we have shows on Friday and Saturday nights so we continue to add new experiences which keep our guests coming back to R House!”

Their drag brunch is a huge hit with the customers. A study done by Nasty Gal highlighted the best drag brunches in the U.S., listing theirs as #6 in 2021.

“We want to thank all our fans and loyal

guests for patronizing and supporting us over the years,” Carulli said. “It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to create a business like R House from scratch and it always means so much to receive recognition like we have with the SFGN awards.”

Looking forward R House has some exciting new developments coming up, including expanding their entertainment programming and renovations.

“They will make the R House experience even more elegant and funky,” Carulli said.

RUNNER-UP FOR

RESTAURANT: MACCHIALINA RUNNER-UP FOR BEST HIDDEN GEM: NUDE PITA - KS

BEST HIDDEN GEM (NON-DINING)/ BEST BAR

HÔTEL GAYTHERING

1409 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach www.gaythering.com

There’s something magical about Hôtel Gaythering. The bar/hotel may have only officially won two awards this year – Best Hidden Gem and Best Bar, but that only tells half the story. Their owner Alex Guerra won Best Business Owner, while Blame Forret, a staple at the bar, won six awards this year including Best Artist; Drag Performer; Comedian; and Local Entertainer. Her weekly gig Blamie’s Boozy Bingo at the Gaythering won for Best Activity for Tourists. Meanwhile the bar’s bartender Rome Frost won for Best Bartender.

“I owe so much to the Gaythering. Alex Guerra has given me so many opportunities to allow me to grow and become the queen I am today,” Forret said. “The Gaythering is my second home and has created a beautiful LGBTQ community. I cannot thank Alex enough. If he ever needs a kidney, I’ll strongly think about thinking about giving it to him.”

The venue is a combination of a bar, an adults-only hotel, and a men’s sauna. The hotel claims to be the “gayest bar in Miami Beach with the most entertainment.” The bar hosts theme nights such as Karaoke and serves drinks that are 50 percent off well drinks on Tuesdays. It hosts many events every day of the week. The sauna is free for hotel guests. Non-guests can buy a day pass to enter.

“Alex Guerra gave me a chance to substitute as a drag queen after seeing one locally viral video I made with Blamie Forret where I looked like a 4 year old who got into mommy’s makeup,” Frost said. “Since then I have substituted in drag to host Pictionary, Bingo and Trivia Night, which is an experience I could never have imagined.”

RUNNER-UP FOR BEST HIDDEN GEM: BLAMIE’S TRIVIA / PICTIONARY / BINGO (TOBACCO ROAD & HOTEL GAYTHERING) RUNNER-UP FOR BEST BAR: R HOUSE WYNWOOD

- KS

Photo via www.gaythering.com.

BEST BARTENDER

ROME F.

ALEX GUERRA (Hôtel Gaythering)

He’s won Activist three times and Business Owner twice.

Guerra owns Hôtel Gaythering, which has won Best Hidden Gem and Bar this year.

Guerra is an outspoken member of the LGBT community.

In one of his more public displays of activism Guerra hung a BLM banner in front of his hotel in 2020 to show his support after the murder of George Floyd. Someone complained and code enforcement told him to take it down. The result was a fine from the city, but Guerra remained undeterred. When he opened his “straight-friendly” hotel on South Beach a few years back it came with a front door notice: “If You Are Racist, Sexist, Homophobic or an Asshole, Don’t Come In!”

Guerra, who is also an artist, is also the founder the annual art show, Art Gaysel, a five-day event that runs during Art Basel, the international art fair that takes place in Miami Beach every year.

FOR

FOR

Rome F. has been bartending about three years, but he’s already made enough of an impression to take home the prize of Best Bartender. Or was it because he was trained by one of SFGN’s previous Best Bartenders, Zach Roof?

His signature drink is a Cherry Whiskey Old-Fashioned.

“My favorite part of the job is helping create an atmosphere for a business that is, not only fun, but also supports and builds its community through activism, art social engagement, and sex positivity,” he said.

He credits his success to Roof.

“Zach Roof, as our bar manager, has been the backbone of Gaythering making my job a lot easier,” he said. “As Gaythering’s last best bartender I do owe Zach a lot since he’s the one who hired me on the bar.”

Rome also does drag on occasion at the Gaythering.

“I have substituted in drag to host Pictionary, Bingo and Trivia Night, which is

BEST BUSINESS OWNER/ BEST ACTIVIST BEST POLITICIAN

an experience I could never have imagined,” he said.

DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA

Daniella Levine Cava is the first ever woman to serve as Miami-Dade County Mayor, winning election to the position in 2020. She was first elected to the county commission as a Democrat in 2014. She has been a catalyst in helping lift families out of poverty and a vocal advocate for affordable housing, better wages and working conditions and environmental safeguards.

An attorney with degrees from Yale and Columbia, Levine Cava raised her profile with calm leadership during last summer’s Surfside Condominium collapse.

When the Florida legislature passed the infamous, “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Levine Cava spoke in opposition to the new law as a parent of a gay child.

“I stand in solidarity with the young people of Florida, who are learning who they are, how they’d like to live their lives, and where they can go for help,” Levine Cava said. “Our state’s leaders should be creating more resources and assistance for those students who have nowhere else to turn.”

RUNNER-UP: MICHAEL GONGORA,

MIAMI BEACH COMMISSIONER

RUNNER-UP: EFRAIN R. - KS

Alex Guerra is this year’s Best Business Owner and Best Activist in Miami.

RUNNER-UP

BEST BUSINESS OWNER: ROCCO CARULLI & OWEN BALE (R HOUSE WYNWOOD)

RUNNER-UP

BEST ACTIVIST: MICHAEL GONGORA (MIAMI BEACH CITY COMMISSIONER)

FORMER

BEST SERVER

SUZANNE F.

Suzanne F. is a server and bartender at Lilo’s Streetfood and Bar in Lake Worth Beach. Originally from California, Suzanne moved to Palm Beach County in 1996. She’s worked for Lilo’s for over four years and is honored by the recognition.

“Everywhere I’ve worked, I’ve always appreciated and admired the openness and acceptance from the LGBTQ+ community,” Suzanne said. “I’ve always felt a connection and am proud to be an ally! I am honored to just be considered. Thank you.”

Suzanne can be found regularly at Lilo’s Streetfood and Bar, always ready for a drag show or fundraiser. When asked for a final quote, she said, “Life is Short... Buy the Shoes.”

- SC

BEST BARTENDER

This year’s Best Bartender goes to Marc D. of the Mad Hatter Lounge in Lake Worth Beach. Marc has been bartending in the gay community for the last four years and has been involved in the LGBT community for the last 10 years.

“Finding my place in bartending has allowed me to have my own journey as a gay trans person,” Marc said. “I’ve found community in all of the friends I’ve made at the bar. I’m happy to know that I’ve been able to support this community in even half the way you all support me, and I want to thank you all for voting for me as your favorite bartender.”

Marc is 25 years old and was born in Cuba. He’s been in Palm Beach County since he was 2 years old. You can catch him at the Mad Hatter Lounge in Lake Worth beach for happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

BEST TRANS ADVOCATE

MICHAEL RIORDAN

Michael Riordan is a fearless trans woman and Director of Marketing at Compass Community Center in Lake Worth Beach. Riordan has worked at Compass for seven years, and she also is an LWB resident. This is the first time Riordan has received an award from SFGN, based on her current and previous involvement, this will not be her last. When Riordan is not being an advocate for the trans community, she spends her

time hanging with dear friends, sipping tea, napping, and throwing shade.

- DCJ

BEST LOCAL DRAG PERFORMER

MELISSA ST. JOHN

Long live the queen! Six-time winner Melissa St. John is once again Palm Beach County’s favorite drag performer. Her illustrious career spans more than 25 years. The First Lady of Palm Beach continues to perform at venues and events throughout South Florida, where she remains a fan favorite.

Off stage, St. John is a passionate fundraiser and philanthropist. She’s been an HIV/AIDS activist and an advocate for over 30 years.

“I’m so honored for again being chosen as Palm Beach County Best Drag Queen,” she said. “Our community means so much to me, and it brings me great pleasure knowing I’ve made a difference and will continue to do so. Thank you all for so many years of support, and together we can continue to raise our voices on all issues that are most important to us.”

RUNNER UP: JAZZ @ HOWLEY’S

RUNNER-UP: ALEX @ HARRY’S BANANA FARM

MARC D. @ THE MAD HATTER LOUNGE

“Thank you for this honor. I want to share a message to transgender people: I know times are tough right now but please understand that you are valid, you are loved, and you have every right to live the life that brings you peace and fulfillment. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise . . . ever!”

RUNNER UP: VELVET LENORE

RUNNER-UP: RIANNA PETRONE

BEST ARTIST/GALLERY

BEST LOCAL ENTERTAINER

“Thank you so much for this honor,” said Big Mama. “I’m beyond thankful for the support and love from the community. Please keep in mind that the only thing between a good day and a bad day is your attitude. Live the best life that you know how to live.”

In Hollywood, the EGOT is one of the highest honors to have. If this West Palm Beach resident was in Hollywood, he would most definitely have one. The awardee is a well-sought-after drag performer, comedian, and singer. Big Mama also runs the highly successful Big Mama House of Sweets as well as Big Mama’s Drag Show and Brunch. As you can see, the word “big” not only describes his height, it symbolizes his talent too.

This is Big Mama’s second time winning the award, making him the first and only person to win the award.

BEST POLITICIAN NOT NAMED LOIS FRANKEL

Rolando Berrero is the

of the Box

He and his

have been recognized as the Best Artist and Best Gallery of 2022. This is Berrero’s second year being selected as Best Artist. Best Gallery won in a reader’s choice category.

Of his artistry, Berrero said, “I try to create culturally relevant and thought provoking work without compromise.” His latest piece, “The Family,” was recently installed as a public art piece at the Opportunity Early Childhood Education & Family Center in West Palm Beach.

“The Box Gallery will continue to maintain its reputation as a First Amendment space where all voices can be amplified through the arts,” Berrero said of his gallery. Berrero cultivates diverse styles of art and does not prioritize any one style over another.

“All art is welcome here,” he said.

“I am proud that we have been very productive in moving the needle, where we can, within the City of Lake Worth Beach,” said Sarah Malega. “Our employees can now have their pronouns printed on their City badges, we now have an LGBTQ liaison for residents and employees alike. This award is for every person who supported me, encouraged me, put their time and finances into the election that brought me to where I am today, without you none of this would have happened.”

Malega is the District One City Commissioner of Lake Worth Beach, where she also is a resident. Malega owns The Zoo Gym in LWB. Our readers have voted her business as “Best Gym” for Palm Beach seven times in a row. This is the first time Malega has been awarded in this category.

owner

Gallery in West Palm Beach.

gallery

RUNNER UP ARTIST: JUAN CARLOS BADIA CABERO

RUNNER UP GALLERY: NORTON MUSEUM OF ART

RUNNER UP: MELISSA ST. JOHN

DCJ

RUNNER-UP: CHRISTINA LAMBERT (WEST PALM BEACH CITY COMMISSIONER) - DCJ

BIG MAMA

SARAH MALEGA (LAKE WORTH BEACH COMMISSIONER)

“I am extremely excited and taken aback that I got best personal trainer in Palm Beach for another year,” Bish said. “Helping people is the best feeling in the world! Seeing the healthy and positive results that my clients get working out with me is so fulfilling and truly makes my life happy!”

Bish is a long time trainer at Zoo Gym in Lake Worth.

“I’ve been training for years now at The Zoo Gym in downtown Lake Worth Beach and recently I invested in another local Zoo Gym as partners with my sister

to continue to make a big difference in our diverse and special community,” she said.

- KS

BEST NONPROFIT

COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER

Compass Community Center, located in Lake Worth Beach, has been a staple of the LGBT community in Palm Beach County since its inception. Compass was founded as the Stop AIDS Project in 1988 and rebranded as Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center in 1922.

Compass holds many LGBT  community events in Palm Beach County and serves LGBT youth as well as people living with HIV. Compass holds many other support events, including the Coffee Clatch, Compass Entourage, and the Bereavement group.

“On behalf of the Compass Board of directors, we are honored and privileged to serve this incredible organization we call family,” said Nicholas Coppola, Co-Chair Compass Board of Directors. “This honor is a testament to the lifesaving work and dedication of our CEO, Julie Seaver and her entire team of staff and volunteers. Thank you SFGN and everyone who voted for us, your continued support is greatly appreciated.”

- SC

BEST ACTIVIST (NOT NAMED JULIE SEAVER)

DYLAN BROOKS

Dylan Brooks, Director of HIV Prevention and Education at Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center in Lake Worth Beach, is this year’s best Palm Beach County Activist.  Brooks has been in the field of HIV prevention for 10 years, starting as a volunteer for AIDS Athens in Athens, Georgia before moving to Palm Beach County.

“The people I’ve worked with, places I’ve seen, and things I’ve had the opportunity to do here have been unparalleled to anything I’ve ever done,” said Brooks. “I wouldn’t be able to do the work I do without the support of the community, the amazing staff and Board of Compass, and our dedicated volunteers who do so much for us. Thank you for the honor!“

Dylan’s advocacy continues and will continue as he works to end the HIV epidemic in Palm Beach County with other community partners.

“As I have watched Dylan grow in his

Photo via compassglcc.com.

leadership these last few years, it’s no surprise to any of us he was chosen best LGBTQ activist. Dylan has truly built a bridge between the generations on discussions around safer sex, PrEP and prioritizing your mental health,” said Julie Seaver, CEO of Compass. “I am inspired daily of Dylan’s continuous growth in his skill set and now in his journey to become a mental health professional. He is truly a unicorn amongst unicorns and we couldn’t be prouder of Dylan serving on the Compass team of program directors.”

RUNNER-UP: ROLANDO CHANG BARRERO  - SC

RUNNER-UP: THOMAS HAYDEN

JACKEEY BISH

Compass hosts Palm Beach Pride in Lake Worth Beach every March, bringing together thousands of Palm Beach residents and LGBT supporting businesses and organizations for a day of drag, dancing, music and fun.

RUNNER-UP: NIGHT RUNNERS WPB

Photo via compassglcc.com.

BEST BARTENDER

Myrica J. hjas been a bartender on and off since 1999. With more than two decades of experience it’s obvious why she won Best Bartender. She moved to Key West in 2016.

“Y’all can find me slingin’ drinks five nights a week at Aqua Nightclub, or weekend days at Bourbon St. Pub.,” she said. “I have a ton of specials I run on rotation depending on what fresh ingredients are available to me. My favorite part of the job is all the return customers that make it a point to stop in and see me every time they visit Key West.”

RUNNER-UP: AJ @ 801 BAR

BEST DRAG QUEEN/ PHOTOGRAPHER

MAYA MONTANA

One of Maya Montana’s favorite quotes is “Life is too short to cry over a broken heel!”

And that is a quote she lives be. For five years in a row, Montana has won Best Drag Queen of Key West. She has also won the Best Photographer this year.

“Female impersonation and photography are two of the things in my life that I love passionately, so to be given this recognition, I am truly grateful for this honor!,” she said. “Thank you very much to all that voted for me!”

You can catch her shows at Aqua seven nights a week.

RUNNER-UP FOR

DRAG QUEEN: BEATRIX DIXIE RUNNER-UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHER: LARRY BLACKBURN

MYRICA

YOU CAN BE BOLD, LIKE PHILANTHROPIST MONA PITTENGER

“Partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward empowers me to make a BOLD impact for the community I love. As a longtime philanthropist and LGBTQ activist, my new endowed charitable funds at the Community Foundation are broadening the scope and amplifying the impact of my giving. Grants in my name develop future leaders, break down barriers to success and shape a community where everyone is treated with equity. I love that my endowed support is the gift that keeps on giving, long after I’m gone. With the Community Foundation as a partner, my BOLD impact never ends.”

WHERE WE CALL HOME

In the late 1990s, Ray and I lived on Baker Street in the Marina area of San Francisco, directly across from the Palace of Fine Arts.

The beautifully crafted, classical colonnade was the last of the remaining buildings from the 1915 Panama-Pacific World Exposition hosted by the city after the devastating earthquake of 1906. You’ll often see it as the background of a TV commercial or magazine ad.

We’ve never been able to afford anything we wanted, but we always really wanted and fully enjoyed the houses and apartments we could afford to buy or rent in Boston, Gloucester, Atlanta, New York, Provincetown, Naples, the Adirondacks, Fort Lauderdale, and Wilton Manors. I have truly wonderful memories of our time in each location, with each different group of neighbors, friends, and shopkeepers.

While watching with joy the movie “Bros,” we got excited when the shot taken of the couple on the beach in Provincetown was right next to the home we fully enjoyed every summer for sixteen years. When my heart gets tugged, as it does each time I see a scene or photo from our old neighborhoods in cities around the country, I start torturing myself with thoughts, such as, “Why did we sell that place? I loved our time there.

Remember all of the Memorial Day cookouts we hosted for the neighborhood? Do you remember me coming back in from fishing with a big striped bass that you cleaned on the lawn?”

Then I remind myself, “If you hadn’t sold, you never would have bought the dreamlike place on Tupper Lake, and brought folks there together for monthly potluck game nights. And if you hadn’t sold that place, you’d not now be in Wilton Manors tending to your most favorite garden, both of you saying it’s your most favorite house.”

No one can take away from us the great memories we have of times spent with family and friends in the places we’ve lived in the past, and we can’t go back to those places with the expectation of recreating the same experiences. We had our turn in those cities and in those houses, and we made the most of each opportunity there. It’s now someone else’s turn to enjoy the house and the city, and it’s our turn to thoroughly enjoy our lives today in the place we live, with the friends and family we still have, and those we will make.

Life requires that we constantly let go, let go, let go, and that we participate in the recreation of love with all that surrounds us. Love from the past is not lost, it just matures as it flows forward through us more freely, with more awareness and gratitude.

Brian McNaught has been a leading educator on LGBTQ issues globally since 1974. He has made his many books and DVDs available for free at Brian-McNaught.com. The New York Times named him “The Godfather of gay diversity training.” Brian has a weekly YouTube/FaceBook podcast called, “Are You Happy Without the Movie?”

Brian, Ray, and the dog Brit in San Francisco. Courtesy photo.

Brian McNaught

IT’S CALLED THANKSGIVING, NOT THANKS-WASTING

The data analysis team at Ecommerce Intelligence has looked at how much money is going to be wasted on uneaten food this Thanksgiving.

They were able to work out how much families are set to lose by taking into account that the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is $53.31 and that people waste 31.9% of food. In Florida, it is estimated that $326,645,463 will be lost to wasted food. For more information go to https://www.ecommerceintelligence.com/.

I don’t know about your family, but when I was growing up, there was no such thing as wasted food. My mother would take those leftovers and convert them into an endless series of dinners. I don’t think my mother shopped for groceries between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we just ate leftovers. It got to be such a joke in my family that we revised a classic holiday song to describe it. I’ll spare you the 11 days leading up to it and just give you the grand finale dinner.

On the twelfth day after Christmas, my mother served to me

Twelve ham egg foo yung

Eleven green bean souffle

Ten spinach smoothies

Nine turkey salads

Eight kinds of tacos

Seven yam casseroles

Six turkey subs

Five Jell-O molds

Four ham croquettes

Three corn cakes

Two potato latkes

And a plate of turkey tetrazzini.

Elizabetta’s has added a new menu item at its Palm Beach and Delray locations. The flavorful dish is a 14-ounce Kurobuta pork “Porterhouse steak.” It’s topped with roasted peppers and, cooked “Brooklyn style,” marinated in vinegar. For pork lovers this cut of Kurobuta is pure Nirvana!

Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival Returns this February. It’s a star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. The festival takes place Feb. 23–26, 2023, and this year the event will truly live up to its name with all events except one, “Family Fun Day” at Gulfstream Park, taking place in the Miami area. In the past many events were held in Fort Lauderdale. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Tickets for the 2023 Festival are on sale now at sobewff.org.

Congratulations to the Following Miami spots which recently were awarded Michelin stars. Miami has the distinction of being the only Florida city boasting a Michelin two-star, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. The following restaurants earned one star: Ariete, Boia De, Cote Miami, The Den at Sushi Azabu Miami, Elcielo Miami, Hidden, Le Jardinier Miami, Los Félix, Stubborn Seed, and The Surf Club Restaurant. The following were dubbed Bib Gourmands, sort of an honorable mention; Bachour, Chug’s Diner, DOYA, El Turco, Ghee Indian Kitchen, Hometown

Barbecue Miami, Itamae,

Natural,

HUNGRY

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com. The views Rick expresses are his own and do not represent the opinion of SFGN.

Photo voa Adobe.

Rick Karlin

Krüs Kitchen, La

Lucali, Lung Yai Thai Tapas, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Michael’s Genuine,

Phuc Yea, Red Rooster Overtown, Sanguich De Miami, Tinta y Café, Zak The Baker, and Zitz Sum.

LIFESTYLE READING WITH PRIDE

‘SOMETHING FABULOUS’

Aurora Dominguez

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR MOST RECENT BOOK?

In a very indirect way, the pandemic. I should stress that there are absolutely no pandemic references in Something Fabulous. I just mean that it was 2020, I was on lockdown, reading a lot of books and feeling a real need for something joyful. So I decided to write a very silly, whimsical, joyful story about people who read a lot of books for better or worse.

WHAT DOES “READING WITH PRIDE” MEAN TO YOU?

I’m very much a “pride is a protest” person rather than a “pride is a party” person, so I think to me “Reading With Pride” means a whole lot of complex and slightly contradictory things. I’m very aware that there are some people for whom “Pride” as a concept is an important part of their identity, and how they live. But I’m also very aware that there are others who feel excluded and alienated by it. One of the things that’s really important to me as a reader and a writer is recognizing the diversity and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences, identities and expressions and sometimes Pride culture can erase or homogenize that.

WHY DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BOOKS?

Short answer: because a variety of people exist and have a right to see themselves reflected in the material they choose to read.

Longer answer: I’m afraid this is another “it’s complicated” and I really try to avoid thinking in terms of “representation” when I’m writing for a couple of reasons. Firstly I don’t think it’s my place to tell people that my work “represents” them if they don’t think it

Book cover via www.goodreads.com.

does — one person’s representation might be another person’s tokenism and a third person’s stereotype. Secondly I think it’s very easy, especially in LGBTQ+ fiction, to treat a fairly narrow part of the community as representing the whole community. It’s not as simple as one person making sure they tick off a checklist of identities in any given work of fiction, it’s about a range of different stories being told by a range of different voices from a range of different perspectives.

TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO WRITE IT.

Basically it’s a romp. A self-consciously absurd, picaresque romp that deliberately plays fast and loose with history.

It’s about a pampered duke who begrudgingly proposes marriage to the daughter of his best friend — which she takes badly enough that she flees from him, forcing him to pursue her across southeast England in the company of her irritating but charming twin brother.